Union Expresses Rising Frustration Over Contract Delays

Dozens of Teamsters Local 2727 aircraft mechanics and related classifications protested outside one of UPS' largest air hubs located in Ontario, California Monday and Tuesday, saying they're ready to do whatever it takes to settle a fair contract that protects the health benefits they and their families depend on. The protests wer held as the mechanics head back to the bargaining table with UPS under the supervision of a federal mediator.

Years of contract delays from UPS have caused unrest and outrage among the company's 1,200 aircraft maintenance employees who say the instability and low morale is only growing as the busy holiday shipping season nears. The mechanics are calling on UPS executives to get serious about negotiations and settle a fair contract that protects basic health benefits. UPS aircraft mechanics do physically challenging and often dangerous work around jet engine aircraft and equipment, inhaling toxic chemicals and exhaust fumes daily.

Marcus Koekebakker works out of UPS' Ontario Air Hub and has been with the company for 27 years.

"I don't understand how UPS can make record profits and then turn around and tell us, the employees who built those profits, that our health is too costly," Koekebakker said. "David Abney and other UPS executives should know that the entire aircraft maintenance workforce is united and that our voices will only grow louder until we get the contract our families need and deserve."

For years, UPS has refused to bargain in good faith with the aircraft mechanics and related classifications who maintain its air fleet. Frustrations have been building among the workers, and in late 2016, they voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, should one become necessary. Recently, more than 900 mechanics sent an open letter to UPS CEO David Abney and the company's board of directors, citing concerns about UPS' attempt to strip them of their health benefits and stating that they will do whatever it takes to secure a fair contract. They also protested at UPS' annual shareholder meeting in Wilmington, Del., where they distributed an expanded version of the letter to the CEO and board of directors.

"With the busy holiday shipping season coming up, UPS should be making sure the company is prepared to meet customer demand, not wasting time on corporate maneuvers that only create more instability in its aircraft maintenance workforce," said Teamsters Local 2727 President Tim Boyle. "Hopefully this week the company will get serious about settling a fair contract so we can move forward and work together to make UPS the best it can be for the people who keep it running and our customers."

UPS crushed earnings estimates and made billions in revenue for the second quarter of 2017 in large part due to the back-breaking work of its aircraft mechanics. In 2016, the company posted $3.4 billion in profits and announced multimillion-dollar raises for top executives. Yet while the company brings in record profits, it has been calling for devastating concessions in health benefits for current workers and retirees who spent their lives repairing UPS' planes.

(Source: Teamsters news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.teamster.org